An ongoing and online discussion between: an Orthodox informed Ecumaniac without a denominational home, an ordained Baptist youth pastor with an open mind, a Calvinist worship leader/seminarian with a staggering vocabulary and ability to make a point, and a cradle Catholic with a love/hate relationship to Rome.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Fare the Well - Free, O Lord

+ Fare thee well in Christ. Peace be with thee. Amen.

As thy soul goes forth from this world, let it go forth in peace.In the Name of God the Father Almighty Who created thee.In the Name of Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God Who suffered for thee.In the Name of the Holy Spirit Who is poured forth in thee.In the Name of the Angels and Archangels,Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles,Innocents, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins,and all of the souls of the Saints who are pleasing to God.

Today mayest thou be placed with them in peace,may thy place and habitation be in the Holy Heavenly Jerusalem.May Saint Michael the Archangel, who was meritorious to lead the heavenly armies, take thee up.May the Holy Angels lead thee and guide thee into the Heavenly Jerusalem.May Saint Peter the Apostle to whom the Lord handed down the keys to the heavenly kingdom, take thee up.Go forth in peace, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,Who will illuminate thee in life eternal and raise thee in the first resurrection in the newest Day.

Lord Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd,receive the soul of Thy servant N. in peace,and forgive all of his (her) sins.Receive, O Lord, Thy servant in the good,and free his (her) soul from all the dangers of hell,and from the snares of punishments, and from all tribulations.

Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Noah from danger.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Elijah and Enoch from tasting death in the world.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Abraham through faith and believing.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Lot from Sodom and the flaming fire.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Isaac from the hand of his father Abraham.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Jacob through the benediction of Thy majesty.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Moses from the hand of Pharaoh, king of the Egyptians.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Job from his sufferings.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Jonah from the belly of the whale.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free David from the hand of Saul the king, and Goliath,and from all of the chains of his sins.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Daniel from the Lion's den.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free three youths, from the fiery furnaceand the hand of the iniquitous king.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Suzanna from false accusation.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free the human race by Thy Passion.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Peter and Paul from prison.Free, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant,as Thou didst free Thecla from the three torments.

Thus be pleased to free, O Lord, the soul of this human being,and allow him to dwell with Thee in the heavenly good things of Thy kingdom,Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns unto ages of ages. Amen.